Authorities at Njeru Police Division in Buikwe district are facing intense public scrutiny after controversially releasing on bond Amina Mutesi, the former Principal Education Officer of Jinja City, who is a key suspect in the brutal murder of 50-year-old Jesca Mutesi.
Reports indicate that Amina Mutesi was quietly released on police bond despite being linked to the grisly killing.
The victim's body was exhumed from a shallow grave at Amina's residential compound in Mbukiro village, Nyenga Division, Njeru Municipality.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
This move has sparked outrage and accusations of foul play from Jesca's family and sections of the public.
Jesca Mutesi disappeared in late April 2025. Her husband, Muhammed Mugombe, first reported her missing at Walukuba Police Station on May 15.
Investigations revealed Jesca vanished after receiving a call from a man named Gasyodo Nicholas, alias Dan Rashid Katala, who allegedly lured her with promises of employment.
She was last seen on April 24, escorted by her son, Jackson Kalimu, leaving to meet Dan.
The case took a dark turn when Dan was arrested and confessed to the murder. He led police to the shallow grave at Amina Mutesi's home where Jesca's decomposing body was recovered.
A postmortem examination was conducted at KCCA Mortuary.
In a chilling confession, Dan claimed he and another man, David alias "Daily Income," killed Jesca on alleged instructions from their boss, Amina Mutesi.
Dan alleged the killing was part of a human sacrifice deal for which Amina promised Shs 3 million. Both David and Amina were subsequently arrested for further investigations.
While Dan has been charged with murder and appeared before Njeru Court, police controversially released Amina and David on bond, citing ongoing investigations.
Ssezibwa Region Police spokesperson SP Hellen Butoto confirmed the case status, explaining that the Resident State Attorney (RSA) and Regional Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviewed the files and advised charging only Dan with murder for now.
The RSA reportedly found insufficient corroborative evidence linking Amina and David directly beyond Dan's confession.
"Based on the RSA's guidance, we released Amina Mutesi and David on bond to allow further investigations," SP Butoto said.
"We are working to corroborate the confessions with forensic and witness evidence to determine involvement of the other suspects."
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
However, this explanation has done little to appease the victim's family. Jackson Kalimu expressed deep dissatisfaction, questioning how someone could be released on bond when his mother's body was found on that very suspect's property.
"We sense serious foul play," Kalimu said. "We have petitioned the Inspector General of Police to take action against officers who mismanaged this case. We will not rest until justice is served."
The release has reignited concerns over corruption and mishandling of criminal cases, particularly capital offences, by law enforcement.
Civil society groups and human rights activists have joined calls for accountability and thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, police insist the probe remains active and warn that further arrests and charges may follow as more evidence is gathered.
